Jonathan Bernstein
@jonbern.bsky.social
biography of justin townes earle out jan. 13
senior research editor at rolling stone
he/him
https://jonbernsteinwriting.com/
senior research editor at rolling stone
he/him
https://jonbernsteinwriting.com/
Moved beyond words by @carynrose.bsky.social's review of my book. To feel so seen by a review is a feeling I won't forget:
www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
Telling the hard parts: 4 music books that push past the highlight reel
From radio legend Mary Lucia to Justin Townes Earle, these books examine the price worth paying for a creative life.
www.salon.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Moved beyond words by @carynrose.bsky.social's review of my book. To feel so seen by a review is a feeling I won't forget:
www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
for this week's Salon column, I wrote about a handful of new-ish music books: Mary Lucia's memoir, Jon Bernstein's astonishing Justin Townes Earle bio, Amy Rigby's most recent memoir & Cameron Crowe's "The Uncool" www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
Telling the hard parts: 4 music books that push past the highlight reel
From radio legend Mary Lucia to Justin Townes Earle, these books examine the price worth paying for a creative life.
www.salon.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:01 PM
for this week's Salon column, I wrote about a handful of new-ish music books: Mary Lucia's memoir, Jon Bernstein's astonishing Justin Townes Earle bio, Amy Rigby's most recent memoir & Cameron Crowe's "The Uncool" www.salon.com/2026/01/13/t...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
Happy pub day to @jonbern.bsky.social ! This book is a knockout. I’ll be chatting with JB about it at Greenlight tonight, come hang! greenlightbookstore.com/event/2026-0...
January 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Happy pub day to @jonbern.bsky.social ! This book is a knockout. I’ll be chatting with JB about it at Greenlight tonight, come hang! greenlightbookstore.com/event/2026-0...
Charles is one of my scholarly/writerly heroes so it was a huge honor to speak with his and @cantkill.bsky.social's (another music writing hero) No Fences about my Justin bio.
New at No Fences Review: @jonbern.bsky.social talks to me about his new biography of Justin Townes Earle. Released today, it's a stunning book and I really enjoyed talking with Bernstein about it. Please share and subscribe!
Remembering Justin Townes Earle: A conversation with Jonathan Bernstein
Charles talks to the author of a new biography of the late artist
nofencesreview.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Charles is one of my scholarly/writerly heroes so it was a huge honor to speak with his and @cantkill.bsky.social's (another music writing hero) No Fences about my Justin bio.
[DBT voice]: "It's publication day"
January 13, 2026 at 12:23 PM
[DBT voice]: "It's publication day"
Andrew Summers is an important part of the story of the Black Country Music Association. Now he has stage four cancer.
Please consider donating to this fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-w...
Please consider donating to this fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-w...
Donate to Standing with Andrew Through His Cancer Battle, organized by FRANKIE STATON
Hi, my name is Andrew Summers, and I’m reaching out for help during one … FRANKIE STATON needs your support for Standing with Andrew Through His Cancer Battle
www.gofundme.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Andrew Summers is an important part of the story of the Black Country Music Association. Now he has stage four cancer.
Please consider donating to this fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-w...
Please consider donating to this fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-w...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
something that's true about me is I will always cry at the part in "Desperadoes Under The Eaves" when Zevon harmonizes with the hum of the air-conditioner, even and especially when I'm in public.
January 12, 2026 at 3:57 PM
something that's true about me is I will always cry at the part in "Desperadoes Under The Eaves" when Zevon harmonizes with the hum of the air-conditioner, even and especially when I'm in public.
An honor to receive a review as thoughtful as this, by someone who was there for it all:
"What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome...catches the moment when Nashville music became Americana."
chapter16.org/hard-to-pin-...
"What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome...catches the moment when Nashville music became Americana."
chapter16.org/hard-to-pin-...
Hard to Pin Down
Jonathan Bernstein’s What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle catches the moment when Nashville music became Am…
chapter16.org
January 12, 2026 at 12:27 PM
An honor to receive a review as thoughtful as this, by someone who was there for it all:
"What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome...catches the moment when Nashville music became Americana."
chapter16.org/hard-to-pin-...
"What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome...catches the moment when Nashville music became Americana."
chapter16.org/hard-to-pin-...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
Suspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruins
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil…
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil…
Suspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruins
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil rights.
mississippitoday.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Suspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruins
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil…
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil…
The first radio station I truly fell in love w/ was 89.3 The Current.
What an honor to have been interviewed about Justin Townes Earle by the great Bill Deville:
www.thecurrent.org/feature/2026...
What an honor to have been interviewed about Justin Townes Earle by the great Bill Deville:
www.thecurrent.org/feature/2026...
Jonathan Bernstein, writer of the authorized biography of Justin Townes Earle, shares thoughts on the late singer-songwriter
Bernstein spoke with The Current’s Bill DeVille ahead of the January 13 release of ‘What Do You Do When You're Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle.’
www.thecurrent.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:33 PM
The first radio station I truly fell in love w/ was 89.3 The Current.
What an honor to have been interviewed about Justin Townes Earle by the great Bill Deville:
www.thecurrent.org/feature/2026...
What an honor to have been interviewed about Justin Townes Earle by the great Bill Deville:
www.thecurrent.org/feature/2026...
In other book news, I cannot wait to read this:
people.com/taylor-swift...
people.com/taylor-swift...
Taylor Swift's Origin Story Explored in 'Taylor Swift: The Debut Years' — See the Cover! (Exclusive)
'Washington Post' entertainment reporter Emily Yahr shares the cover of her new book, 'Taylor Swift: The Debut Years,' exclusively with PEOPLE. The new book charts the pop star's rise from her country...
people.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM
In other book news, I cannot wait to read this:
people.com/taylor-swift...
people.com/taylor-swift...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
An exclusive excerpt from the highly anticipated Justin Townes Earle biography, written by Rolling Stone's @jonbern.bsky.social, shows how the revered singer-songwriter wrote his biggest hit and became a Nashville legend
How Justin Townes Earle Wrote His Biggest Hit and Became a Nashville Legend
An excerpt from the highly anticipated authorized biography of Justin Townes Earle shows how he wrote his biggest hit and became a Nashville legend.
rollingstone.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
An exclusive excerpt from the highly anticipated Justin Townes Earle biography, written by Rolling Stone's @jonbern.bsky.social, shows how the revered singer-songwriter wrote his biggest hit and became a Nashville legend
On @rollingstone.com, the first excerpt of my biography of Justin Townes Earle.
This one's about the writing and recording of Harlem River Blues (the album AND the song!)
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
This one's about the writing and recording of Harlem River Blues (the album AND the song!)
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
How Justin Townes Earle Wrote His Biggest Hit and Became a Nashville Legend
An excerpt from the highly anticipated authorized biography of Justin Townes Earle shows how he wrote his biggest hit and became a Nashville legend.
www.rollingstone.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
On @rollingstone.com, the first excerpt of my biography of Justin Townes Earle.
This one's about the writing and recording of Harlem River Blues (the album AND the song!)
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
This one's about the writing and recording of Harlem River Blues (the album AND the song!)
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
opening to the new Zach Bryan album, brought to you by Zillow.
January 9, 2026 at 2:25 PM
opening to the new Zach Bryan album, brought to you by Zillow.
not an understatement
The most important local story of the year: The Montero family is finally selling Montero nygroove.nyc/breaking-leg...
Legendary Brooklyn Heights dive Montero is on the cusp of being sold
Brooklyn Heights’ legendary nautical dive bar Montero is set to change hands soon, with the Montero family planning to sell the drinkery to a pair of businessesmen who also own a string of nautical ba...
nygroove.nyc
January 8, 2026 at 3:25 PM
not an understatement
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
The woman killed by ICE was Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year old who was the mother of a 4-year old child whose father already died a few years ago.
The Star Tribune talked to her mother. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
The Star Tribune talked to her mother. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
January 7, 2026 at 10:38 PM
The woman killed by ICE was Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year old who was the mother of a 4-year old child whose father already died a few years ago.
The Star Tribune talked to her mother. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
The Star Tribune talked to her mother. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
biggest dream for my book is to have it added to the incredibly chaotic stacks of music books in front of the Tiny Desk set.
January 7, 2026 at 10:26 PM
biggest dream for my book is to have it added to the incredibly chaotic stacks of music books in front of the Tiny Desk set.
new favorite place on the internet is the "Background" section of the Wikipedia page for the song "Picture"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture...
January 7, 2026 at 9:59 PM
new favorite place on the internet is the "Background" section of the Wikipedia page for the song "Picture"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
Absolutely horrific details about an ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
A witness says a woman was trying to drive away from an ICE operation and the ICE agent "reached across the hood of the car and shot her in the face like three, four times."
Bovino was there.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
A witness says a woman was trying to drive away from an ICE operation and the ICE agent "reached across the hood of the car and shot her in the face like three, four times."
Bovino was there.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
January 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Absolutely horrific details about an ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
A witness says a woman was trying to drive away from an ICE operation and the ICE agent "reached across the hood of the car and shot her in the face like three, four times."
Bovino was there.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
A witness says a woman was trying to drive away from an ICE operation and the ICE agent "reached across the hood of the car and shot her in the face like three, four times."
Bovino was there.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
chatted with Lucy Dacus about how she ended up singing "Bread and Roses" at Zohran Mamdani's inauguration
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Zohran Mamdani Asked Lucy Dacus to Sing at His Inauguration. Here's How She Rose to the Occasion
Lucy Dacus tells us how she ended up singing 'Bread and Roses' at newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration on January 1.
www.rollingstone.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
chatted with Lucy Dacus about how she ended up singing "Bread and Roses" at Zohran Mamdani's inauguration
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
For the new issue of Rolling Stone, I wrote about how American Idol has largely pivoted into faith-based music and become a launching pad for contemporary Christian pop stars. Carrie Underwood (a judge on the show) has seemingly had a lot to do with this shift.
'American Idol' Comes to Jesus, Finds Rebirth in Faith-Based Music
'American Idol' is turning to faith music, creating new stars and building a new audience.
www.rollingstone.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
For the new issue of Rolling Stone, I wrote about how American Idol has largely pivoted into faith-based music and become a launching pad for contemporary Christian pop stars. Carrie Underwood (a judge on the show) has seemingly had a lot to do with this shift.
Nashville! See you at Grimey’s on 1/16, 5pm!
January 3, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Nashville! See you at Grimey’s on 1/16, 5pm!
Reposted by Jonathan Bernstein
I recommended some January books at @insidehook.bsky.social! www.insidehook.com/books/11-boo...
The 11 Books You Should Be Reading This January
Including thrilling fiction and insightful looks at musicians' lives
www.insidehook.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:14 PM
I recommended some January books at @insidehook.bsky.social! www.insidehook.com/books/11-boo...